Cultural Revolution

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Cultural Revolution

A political movement initiated by Mao Zedong that lasted from 1966 to 1976. It was a campaign in China ordered by Mao Zedong to purge the Communist Party of his opponents and instill revolutionary values in the younger generation. It was also called the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. They wanted to cleanse China of revisionists.

Red Guards

The youths who led Mao's Cultural Revolution. They wore red arm bands and carried his book. They terrorized Chinese citizens and determined who went to camps. They were mainly university and high school students. They tried to revitalize the revolutionary spirit by attacking local party leaders and teachers. (abolish pre-communism concepts). They wanted to destroy the four olds.

Four Olds

Old thought, culture, customs and habits were attacked by the Red Guards under Mao's instruction, in hopes to destroy anything that might have disagreed with communism. They were anything that resembled dynastic views.

Liu Shaoqi

He was a moderate CCP politician and designated successory to Mao Zedong. He died during the cultural revolution. He held the position of official headship of state, and had a strong base in the parties. He came to power after Mao stepped away following GLF. He rolled back Mao's reforms but kept China's communistic views in tact.

Ten Lost Years

During 1966-1976 leading up until Mao's death. It was a period where millions of innocent people were killed and tortured.

Zhou Enlai

Zhou Enlai was a prominent and influential member of the Chinese Communist Party during the time of Mao. Mao and the Gang of Four orchestrated a campaign against him. His death marked the first time people spoke out (indirectly) against Mao. He came to power after Mao stepped away following GLF. He rolled back Mao's reforms but kept China's communistic views in tact.

Deng Xiaoping

Communist Party leader who forced Chinese economic reforms after the death of Mao Zedong. He was the leader of the Central Committee Secretariat. He came to power after Mao stepped away following GLF. He rolled back Mao's reforms but kept China's communistic views in tact.

Jiang Qing

She was the leader of the Gang of Four, wife of Chairman Mao. Orchestrated campaign against Zhou Enlai, called for death of Liu Shao-Qi, saying "He should die the death of 1,000 cuts!" Was arrested by Guofeng, and sentenced to life in 1976.

Lin Biao

Minister of Defense. In 1964, published "Little Red Book," with quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong. Appointed as Mao's successor, but died in a plane crash in 1971 (cause by Mao). Lin and Mao had grown apart. Lin was accused of betraying Mao, and some claimed he had planned a coup d'etat.

Gang of Four

It is a term used to denote the four leading radical figures - Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen, who were arrested and blamed for the faults of the Cultural Revolution. They continued the revolution after Mao died.

Chen Yun

He came to power after Mao stepped away following GLF. He rolled back Mao's reforms but kept China's communistic views in tact.

Big Character Posters

Posters with big characters on them, that described political messages. During the cultural revolution, they were used to criticize people with certain backgrounds.

Quotes from Chairman Mao

They were Mao's ideas in the Little Red Book. Intellectuals were sent to break rock and learn these principles which resulted in losing a generation of knowledge.